Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 8-11-17

Local
Tampa Native Adds Drill Sergeant School To Resume
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On June 21st, family members traveled to Fort Jackson, South Carolina to witness the graduation ceremony of Ms. Nichelle Wat- son. Ms. Watson is not a new recruit gradu- ating from basic military training.
The 28-year-old is a seven-year veteran of the U. S. Army and is a graduate of the mili- tary’s Drill Sergeant School. Drill Sgt. Wat- son is the daughter of Johnny Watson and Mr. and Mrs. James and Michelle Har- ris. A Tampa native, she is the mother of one son, 6-year-old Nadarius, who will begin first grade this year.
When asked why she chose to enter an area still largely dominated by men, she said she re- alizes that a female training infantryman is still somewhat new.
However, her history with the military is not conventional. She entered the military as a truck driver, and for the last year, she has taught hand-to-hand combat at Fort Hood.
Becoming a Drill Sergeant is just another step in becoming a career member of the mili- tary. Having taught hand-to-hand combat, it was the next step in progression for Sgt. Wat- son.
Enlisting in the military was not Sgt. Wat- son’s initial career choice. After graduating from Alonso High School in 2007, Sgt. Wat- son enrolled at Hillsborough Community Col- lege.
She was a Criminal Justice major and had an interest in becoming a Journalist. However, something happened that changed her career path.
DRILL SGT. NICHELLE WATSON
“I hadn’t been in trouble. I waited until I was18or19togetintoafightandIknewIhad to do something because my mom wasn’t hav- ing it. So, I went to an Army Recruiter.”
With two years of college under her belt, Sgt. Watson enlisted and has since decided to make a career of it.
“I always wanted to do something positive with my life and after my cousin was killed, I decided to enter the military.”
And, although her schedule is filled, Sgt. Watson found time recently to return home to mentor a group of girls. She visited Giunta Middle School, where she spoke with a class of Girl Scouts.
Sgt. Watson is currently assigned to Fort Benning Infantry Brigade in Georgia.
Young Men Continue To Give Back
To Community
Participants in the Feeding The Homeless initiative shown from left to right are: Pierre Alsint, Javarus Mond, Cyrus Wade, Gregory Pierre, Bryon Graves, State Attorney Andrew Warren, Nina Geor- gette Hickey, Mezerson Cesar, Emon Anderson, Nathaniel McClarin, Cameron Racherlson, and Robert Ruiz.
Ross Anderson was a classroom teacher at Sligh Middle Magnet School when he observed the upsetting trend affecting young Black teenagers. While serving in that capacity, he witnessed several young men fall through the cracks and end up in trou- ble or dropping out of school.
Anderson created Men of Vision, Inc., to help stop what was becoming an epidemic of teenagers dropping out of school, going to prison, or dying too young.
For several years, Ander- son has been successful in mentoring young men in his Men of Vision Program. In ad- dition to stressing respect, ed- ucation, and striving for success, Anderson also incor- porates the need to give back to the community.
This summer, several Men of Vision members volun- teered to “Feed the Homeless” at Trinity Café every Friday. The program has been a tremendous success and an ex- perience for the young partici- pants.
Anderson said, “These young men understand that at any given time, we can fall on hard times and it’s all about helping those who want to help themselves. Part of the Men of Vision, Inc., philosophy is giv- ing and serving those in the community in which they live, go to school, and play.”
“To make this event possi- ble, Pierre Alsint, the Over- all President of Men of Vision, partnered with Trinity Café and Hospice House because he believes it’s all about the qual- ity of life and that we need to do more to help others in need,” Anderson said.
The young men were at- tending a function when they had the opportunity to meet Hillsborough County State At- torney Andrew Warren. Anderson said he expressed an interest in the program and was invited to join the young men in some of their commu- nity activities.
“I gave him my number and he called. I told him about the “Feeding the Homeless” Program at Trinity Café, and he came out and joined us. This type of participation lets the boys know that when they are doing something positive, people take notice,” Ander- son said.
The young men are prepar- ing to return to the classrooms, but Anderson keeps them ac- tive throughout the year.
Many alumni of the organ- ization have gone on to attend college, join the military, enter trade schools, and plan their own futures. The alumni mem- bers also come back to the or- ganization and mentor the new members.
(Story by City Editor Iris B. Holton)
PAGE 4-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017